# Role of mucin sulfation and sulfation-specific adhesins in AIEC colonization

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2021 · $193,742

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn’s disease (CD) are multifactorial diseases and although
their etiology is unknown, host genetics, microbiota composition and dietary components are all demonstrated
disease modifiers. Intestinal microbiome dysbiosis, and an increase in bacterial colonization of the intestinal
mucosa by CD-associated pathobionts including adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) are hallmarks of
CD. While mucosal inflammation causes many of the symptoms associated with disease, the underlying
factors driving inflammation are unknown. We have recently identified that an AIEC adhesin belonging to the
family of Multivalent Adhesion Molecules (MAMs) specifically binds to sulfated glycans on intestinal receptors,
and that the intestinal sulfation pattern, particularly of the mucosal barrier, shapes the colonization pattern and
niche selection of AIEC. Here, we will address the overarching hypothesis that in the context of AIEC-specific
virulence traits such as impaired immune clearance, MAM can act as an accessory factor enabling persistent
colonization of the mucosal layer and submucosal epithelium, thereby driving or enhancing inflammation. To
test this hypothesis, we will (1) determine how intestinal sulfation levels and sulfation-specific adhesins shape
adherence, colonization patterns, and niche selection of adherent-invasive E. coli and (2) determine how
sulfate-modification by microbial factors shape adherence, molonization pattern, and niche selection of
adherent-invasive E. coli. This work will reveal how host genetics and microbiota composition shape the
intestinal sulfation pattern, and if in doing so, they act as CD modifiers through this unifying mechanism, which
would characterize intestinal sulfation as a potential new target to prevent or ameliorate disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136520
- **Project number:** 5R21AI151259-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Anne-Marie Krachler
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $193,742
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136520

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136520, Role of mucin sulfation and sulfation-specific adhesins in AIEC colonization (5R21AI151259-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136520. Licensed CC0.

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